Thai “Desserts” Let’s start this out by addressing a Thai culinary distinction from most Western cuisines. The line between dinner and dessert is a blurry one, namely in levels of sweetness. Thai food… most Thai food that is, encompasses the full scope of a flavor pallet. As such, sugar is less thought of here as an ingredient, but more of a seasoning agent – not unlike salt. A consequence of this chronic sugar seasoning throughout each meal of the day, is that there isn’t as much need for a sweet release. That’s to say, the desserts don’t need to over compensate in sweetness the way Western ..read more

Chiang Mai Gate Night Market might be the best place for a first timer to dip their toe into the cuisine of this great country. They have all of the “cooking class foods”, you know the ones: pad Thai, green curry, tom yum, som tam, and the ubiquitous mango sticky rice. All delicious, even if they are a bit amateur hour. You’ll also find some things you might be unaware of if your Chang tank top is untucked from the elephant pants below it: kanom krok, pa thong ko, puu phat phong karii, moo palo, and the like. Nothing too crazy however, offal few and far between; not a bottle of nam buu in sigh ..read more

Sanmai Has the best Ramen in Chiang Mai. Full stop. I usually stay away from words like “best” and instead use “my favorite”, but Sanmai is in a league of their own when it comes to ramen. I’ve tried most of the other dozen or so ramen joints in Chiang Mai, and while I haven’t had them all yet, the matter is entirely settled in my eyes. Kevin is the owner and head chef here. He was born and raised in Chiang Mai, but spent the years leading up to opening Sanmai honing his craft in the kitchens of New York City. He is passionate about what he does, and what he does inspires passion. No corners a ..read more

Ordering noodles in this country is easy to do but hard to do right. If you can’t speak Thai you’re either stuck with the “point and pray” method, or ordering off menus with pictures. Both acceptable choices but it limits the potential for your meal. You may not know what goodies are hidden amongst the food cart’s detritus, or which broths loom under that steaming hood. Super Soup has examined these problems, and done something about it. At this “Subway” style eatery it couldn’t be any easier to have it your way (I know that’s Burger Kong’s slogan, but Eat Fresh doesn’t sound as good). There i ..read more

Hello Everyone, Yes, it has been sometime since I last posted. During this epoch of inactivity I’ve been busy: Getting to show a lot of visiting friends around Thailand, moving places and selling many things, sorting out general affairs and such. White People love village chickens. After getting these things taken care of I was planning on resuming with the site (even spent a month in Bangkok making a pretty sweet food map for there, coming soon). Then… the world was thrown through a bit of a loop. And by loop I mean maybe the most historic event of my young life, but it’s too soon fo ..read more

Thai “Desserts” Let’s start this out by addressing a Thai culinary distinction from most Western cuisines. The line between dinner and dessert is a blurry one, namely in levels of sweetness. Thai food… most Thai food that is, encompasses the full scope of a flavor pallet. As such, sugar is less thought of here as an ingredient, but more of a seasoning agent – not unlike salt. A consequence of this chronic sugar seasoning throughout each meal of the day, is that there isn’t as much need for a sweet release. That’s to say, the desserts don’t need to over compensate in sweetness the way Wes ..read more

For better or worse Chiang Mai is changing with the times. There are hipster coffee shops around every corner. The shadows of malls cast over rice fields that were once their foundations. As the years roll on, the East is slowly starting to head west. However, Muang Mai Market seems be staying true, regardless of the incoming winds of western influence.   About the Market Muang Mai Market, Kad Muang Mai in Northern Thai, is one of the last places in the old Lana Kingdom that has remained the way it always was – for the most part. This is ..read more

Khao soi is by far and away the most well known dish in Chiang Mai. This old northern capitol is the only kind of place where something like this could be created. A dish shaped by different cultures, trade, wealth, and refinement. In Thai, khao soi translates to “cut rice” this is in reference to the rice noodles that, many believe, the original dish included – and not the yellow wheat noodles khao soi is known for today. Those were added during one of precursors to khao soi’s contemporary state giving you, Khao Soi Yunnan. The Jeen Haw (Muslims of Yunnanese-Chinese decent) are credited as ..read more

Warorot Market or Gad Luang (Big Market is Northern Thai) is more than meets the eye. A place so large and diverse that it would take many hours if not days to fully explore. The area actually houses a few distinct markets, the main one being Warorot. Across the one way street filled with tuk tuks and connected by a sky bridge is the sister market, Tom Lamyai. This could better be called its twin, as the two house most of the same items and look very similar on the inside and out. Tom Lamyai also holds the long standing 24 hour flower ma ..read more

There are few buildings more prevalent or iconic in Thailand than 7/11. We’ve all found ourselves desperate and hungry, roasting under the hot Thai sun, and in arms reach of a bountiful assortment of noodle stalls, sizzling street-side stir-fries, and pounded pots piled with som tam. And… we have all decided to pass up on these proverbially “burgers” and insist on having “bologna”. Yes, I’ve been here many times and will undoubtedly be back; like a no good for you ex 7/11 is always just a “u up?” text away from indulging you in a bad decision. 7/11 in Thailand is more than just a quick stop ..read more